FOC WNC PAYS COURTESY CALL ON WESTERN REGIONAL MINISTER AND WORKING VISIT TO NAVAL SHIPYARD COMPLEX

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Commodore Stephen Billins Nyam, paid a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister, Honourable (Hon) Joseph Nelson, and also undertook a working visit to the Naval Shipyard Complex as part of his engagements to strengthen collaboration and familiarise himself with key establishments within the Western Region. The courtesy call took place at the Western Regional Coordinating Council, while the working visit to the Naval Shipyard Complex followed in Sekondi respectively.

The visit to the Regional Minister provided an opportunity for Commodore Nyam to formally introduce himself following his assumption of office and also reaffirm the Ghana Navy’s commitment to supporting the Region’s security architecture. He expressed appreciation to the Regional Minister for his support during the change of command ceremony between him and his predecessor.Commodore Nyam further reaffirmed Ghana Navy’s readiness to work collaboratively with the Western Regional Coordinating Council and other security agencies to maintain peace, stability and security in the region. He also pledged his commitment to the region’s security framework, emphasising the importance of cooperation and coordination among stakeholders in addressing emerging security concerns.

In his remarks, Hon Joseph Nelson welcomed the FOC and underscored the importance of a peaceful and stable environment to the development of the Western Region. He noted that the effective functioning of the regional security architecture was essential to maintaining peace and highlighted the significant role of the Ghana Navy in safeguarding the region’s maritime interests.The Regional Minister also raised concerns about illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as “galamsey” and highlighted the collective efforts required to address the menace.

As part of his engagements within the Naval Base, Commodore Nyam also paid a working visit to the Naval Shipyard Complex to familiarise himself with its operations, facilities and ongoing activities. The visit also formed part of efforts to gain first-hand knowledge of the complex’s capabilities and strengthen coordination in support of the Ghana Navy’s operational mandate.

On arrival, the FOC was received by the Commodore Superintendent Naval Shipyard, Commodore Roger Bagoniah, and staff officers of the Naval Shipyard. He subsequently inspected a quarter guard mounted in his honour. Commodore Nyam was briefed on the operations of the Naval Shipyard, including its role in the maintenance, repair and operational readiness of naval vessels and equipment, as well as its contribution to sustaining the operational effectiveness of the Ghana Navy.

During the visit, the FOC toured key facilities within the complex, including the John Arthur Adiku Slipway, where he observed the facility and gained further insight into its contribution to meeting the technical and operational requirements of the Ghana Navy. He also toured the WNC Gym to assess the state of the facility.

The two engagements form part of Commodore Nyam’s efforts to strengthen relationships with regional authorities, deepen cooperation among security agencies and gain a better understanding of the operational capabilities of establishments under the WNC. The visits reaffirm the Ghana Navy’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, operational readiness and the collective pursuit of peace, security and stability in the Western Region.

Story by: Corporal Agyare Bismark

Pictures by: Aircraftman Class 1 Ankomah Robert Peters